We said his name three times and now he’s back to wreak havoc. It may have been long overdue, but Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the chaotic sequel we’ve all been waiting for, so viewers are sure to enjoy double the fun and excitement.
In this High Five review, we’ll take a look at the things that make this the nostalgic sequel that we deserve. Spoilers ahead so be warned.
A Star-Studded New Ensemble

Image from Warner Bros. Pictures
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice follows Lydia Deetz (Wynona Ryder) as an adult—she now has a dead husband, a teenage child, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), and a supernatural TV show that she’s starring in with her boyfriend, Rory (Justin Theroux). Astrid discovers that she shares her mother’s paranormal gift and lands herself in the Neitherworld after being tricked by a handsome ghost. Now Lydia has to call for Beetlejuice once more to help return her daughter to the land of the living.
Sadly, Geena Davies and Alec Baldwin did not return as the Maitlands for this sequel, but Wynona Ryder, Michael Keaton, and Catherine O’Hara all reprised their roles as Lydia Deetz, Betelgeuse, and Delia Deetz respectively. Joining them are new cast members Willem Dafoe as Wolf Jackson, Monica Bellucci as Delores, Justin Theroux as Rory, Burn Gorman as Father Damien, and Danny Devito as the Janitor. This star-studded ensemble keeps the film lively and entertaining all the way through, which is just what you’d expect from the most outstanding actors of this generation.
Tying Up a Dozen Loose Ends

Image from Warner Bros. Pictures
From beginning to end, the movie introduced tons of plot points that needed to be resolved, and resolve them the movie did. Spoilers ahead, but the twelve or so things that viewers had to constantly reckon with while watching the movie were Charles Deetz’s death, Lydia’s show, her faux weddings (first to Rory, then to Betelgeuse again), Astrid’s powers manifesting, her escape from the Neitherworld, the true identity of Jeremy, Delores’ haunting, Delia’s death, Betelgeuse’s usual sketchy antics, Wolf’s obsession with himself while solving the soul sucking case, and the bureaucratic underworld of bio-exorcists.
While this may seem like a lot to juggle for the average viewer, the movie takes great pains to resolve each plot thread by the finale, resulting in a satisfying and terrifying conclusion, albeit one that’s a bit open-ended.
A Nostalgic Return to Form

Image from Warner Bros. Pictures
What’s a sequel without easter eggs? Beetlejuice Beetlejuice breathed new life into familiar elements from the first film. We’re immediately brought into the Neitherworld in the opening sequence, as one of Delia’s collaborators falls into a manhole ending up in the iconic crooked hallway from the first film. The Handbook for the Recently Deceased is also a key part of the sequel, with it being instrumental in the Maitlands moving on to the afterlife and summoning the Sandworm back.
Lastly, we have the “Day-O” Song, model town, and Betelgeuse’s cycle of scare tactics. These three deserve their own spotlight because they are directly associated with the Deetz family from the first movie, and brought back in a different context for the sequel.
A Time Capsule Soundtrack
Speaking of songs, the film’s soundtrack definitely brings moviegoers back, evoking nostalgia and reminding us of the first time Beetlejuice came out. Old-school dance tunes from Donna Summer and Bee Gees, Alfie Davies’ rendition of “Day-O”, ‘90s cult rock classics from Mazzy Star and Sigur Ros, and Danny Elfman’s playful scores set the tone of the film, guiding us through this wild ride of a story.
An Auteurial Force
As the sequel’s returning director, Tim Burton’s signature style and guiding hand are apparent in the film. Burton took inspiration from old films like Addams Family Values and his own Corpse Bride—Rory’s attempt to marry into wealth mirrors Debbie wanting to join the Addams Family through a marriage with Uncle Fester; and Delores coming back to life to haunt Betelgeuse parallels Emily coming back to life to look for her husband. As he is wont to do, Burton once again explores religious and occult themes in the film to great effect, bringing out the big guns with gothic set design and wardrobe, and making for a fantastical universe that is a treat to watch on the big screen.
SEA Wave gives Beetlejuice Beetlejuice a 3.5 out of 5 waves for its stylistic strength, nostalgia factor, and for living up to the expectations of fans of the original movie.
Catch it in a movie theater near you and let us know your thoughts in the comment section.